Social media accounts linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are circulating an image of burning vessels as the IRGC Navy claims that 11 “violating oil tankers” have been set ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz over the past nine days, with some allegedly sunk.
The IRGC’s count begins on October 25, when U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Admiral Brad Cooper flew over the strait in a visit Tehran has dismissed as a “show visit.”
Iran has not identified the tankers or provided evidence to substantiate its claims. However, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported nine vessel attacks over the same period. UKMTO has also warned that its figures are incomplete, as many attacked vessels do not report incidents to the center.
The IRGC’s count begins on October 25, when U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Admiral Brad Cooper flew over the strait in a visit Tehran has dismissed as a “show visit.”
Iran has not identified the tankers or provided evidence to substantiate its claims. However, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported nine vessel attacks over the same period. UKMTO has also warned that its figures are incomplete, as many attacked vessels do not report incidents to the center.
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